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FCS Championship Montana State vs. NDSU

L

luckyintheorder

Active member
Lots of thoughts. MSU is going to need Ifanse back. Was completely surprised they didn't have another back that could at least be moderately effective. Perhaps it was the play calling. Mellott was impressive. He has a sense of calm that belies his years. Tough as nails as SDST was hammering him. We know NDSU will be ready.

This is a good outcome for the BigSky. Maybe, the BSC should use some AI to do a better job of schedule parity because having Sac St as the champion that got whipped at home was a waste of a playoff seed.
 
I'm shocked that a true freshman (pretty sure the kid hasn't have to shave yet) in his second start in a semi-final game basically won that game. MSU D is real and special teams are good but I couldn't believe my eyes what that kid did to SDSU. Can't imagine he can do that again to NDSU so yes Ifanse needs to be back at 100% and has 3 weeks but that constant knee pain doesn't sound good. Can the magic continue?

let-me-show-you-magic-balls.gif
 
You can bet every Bizon in the herd will be trying to stomp the sh!& out of him. I like the 'cats chances mainly because of their HC. He called great games against SHU and now SDSU. Three weeks to prepare are in the 'cats favor.
Go Big Sky!
 
don't know about the stomping. but NDSU DLINE is solid & 3 LBS can hit. zero chance Tommy runs on NDSU with that same game plan, they will need something different, because giving NDSU 3 weeks to prepare for that is a death wish.
 
lakesbison said:
don't know about the stomping. but NDSU DLINE is solid & 3 LBS can hit. zero chance Tommy runs on NDSU with that same game plan, they will need something different, because giving NDSU 3 weeks to prepare for that is a death wish.
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Yeah, I'm not betting against North Dakota State. I think it'll look a bit like the 2018 title game with MSU playing the role of Eastern. Montana State will land some punches, but not enough.

But I agree, Montana State plays rudimentary offense, but it's been successful in the playoffs. I said this before and will say it again, I wished Eastern would have run an offense like that in some of the games where we struggled. Sometimes, when you struggle, just simplify and amplify. We had a QB that was lethal when running the football, and it's like we did everything we could to not utilize those skills. I know the offense wasn't the problem area this season, but had we done a little of that against Montana State, we probably wind up winning that game.
 
lakesbison said:
don't know about the stomping. but NDSU DLINE is solid & 3 LBS can hit. zero chance Tommy runs on NDSU with that same game plan, they will need something different, because giving NDSU 3 weeks to prepare for that is a death wish.
Click to expand...

ESPN has told everyone about how solid the DL is for NDSU and there are two interchangeable DL's. Two superb defense's in this one. Not sure how much offense will be generated on either sideline. Edge to NDSU. I really MSU's defensive backfield, especially if they can get any pressure up front. Might be a big IF. SDST's OL was massive and did a good job early. SDST just wore down after 3 weeks on the road. Don't see that happening to either team after the time off. Massey has it better than 70% NDSU. Pretty sure NDSU will look to stomp on Mellott if given a chance. Predict 11 late hits after the whistle/out of bounds by NDSU but only 3 will be egregious. No flags. May revise upward at a later date.
 
from the Kats board... some numbers on the match up:

Post by kwcat » Tue Dec 21, 2021 10:41 am
https://theanalyst.com/2021/12/montana- ... ship-game/



Montana State vs. North Dakota State: 10 Numbers to Know Before the 2021 FCS Championship Game

DEC 18, 2021
CRAIG HALEY
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Some of the teams that have faced North Dakota State in FCS championship games haven’t quite grasped what they were in for come early January in Frisco, Texas.

Make no mistake, Montana State first-year coach Brent Vigen knows all about how the Bison stand alone in FCS college football, having been a player in Fargo and then holding a big role at the start of their dynasty, serving as offensive coordinator on the first three (2011-13) of their record eight title teams.

He even has Montana State (12-2) playing and winning like NDSU (13-1) as they head into a championship game showdown on Jan. 8. Both teams are among the best in the FCS in running the ball, and they’ve been the best at limiting opponent scoring.

Here are 10 numbers to know heading into their championship game matchup:

0

Incredibly, NDSU’s dynasty program has not spent any weeks ranked No. 1 in the two national polls this season, and it’s the same number of times All-America wide receiver/kickoff returner Christian Watson has played this postseason due to injury, although he warmed up before Friday night’s national semifinal against James Madison.

2/7

NDSU ranks second in the FCS in rushing yards per game (281.3), with six players above 350 yards, led by TaMerik Williams with 696. Montana State hopes to get back Isaiah Ifanse (1,539 yards) from injury as the rushing leader of an attack that averages 225.5 rushing ypg, or No. 7 nationally.

9

NDSU will become the first program to play in the FCS championship game nine times – all in the last 11 seasons. Add in Montana State’s 1984 national title and the two finalists are a combined 9-for-9 in the championship game.

11

Making his first three career starts during Montana State’s playoff run, freshman quarterback Tommy Mellott has been a revelation, producing 11 touchdowns (six rushing, four passing and one receiving).

11.2/13.4

The finalists rank 1 and 2 in the FCS in scoring defense. NDSU opponents are averaging 11.2 points per game, and it’s the lowest of the Bison’s Division I era (since 2004). Eight of the 14 opponents have been held below that average, including two in the playoffs. Montana State ranks second in the FCS in allowing 13.4 ppg. Only two opponents have scored at least 20 points.

15

Montana State is tied for the second-best turnover margin in the FCS at +15. Included is the second-lowest interception rate (under 1 percent with just three in 306 attempts, and none thrown by Mellott).

36

No team is more dangerous than NDSU when having extra game preparation. Since 2006, the Bison have won 36 straight games following open weeks in the regular season and postseason (20 home games, eight road games and eight championship games in Frisco).

49/42

NDSU’s defense has set a program record with 49 sacks, led by defensive ends Brayden Thomas (nine) and Eli Mostaert (7.5). Montana State isn’t far behind with 42, led by D-ends Daniel Hardy (16) and Amandre Williams (8.5).

95

Sure, different years and teams, but NDSU has defeated Montana State in each of their last three playoff matchups since 2010 by a combined 136-41, a 95-point spread that includes the Bobcats’ most recent season (42-14 in a 2019 semifinal against coach Matt Entz’s Bison).

162

Since the beginning of their first FCS championship season in 2011, the Bison are 129-1 when they gain 162 or more rushing yards. They’re 19-11 when below that mark.

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MSU currently a 7.5 underdog and the over/under at 42.5. Both no surprise what may be the factor is who ends up playing. Watching the bowl games thus far so many players out cause of the covid. One game I watched had 28 scholarshipped players out!
 
Have to say, I'm excited for this game tomorrow.... at least the first 9 or 10 minutes. Will be a defensive game and critical for MSU to take care of the ball on offense. Truly don't have any wonderous insight. MSU is asking a lot out of Tommy Mellott and Troy Anderson. Expect Troy to have a great game. NDSU is beatable and MSU's defense should give them a chance. A couple TO's or big special teams play will help.

FCS championship preview: A closer look at Montana State vs. North Dakota State

https://www.ncaa.com/video/football...oser-look-montana-state-vs-north-dakota-state
 
Will Montana State University stars – running back Isaiah Ifanse, defensive tackle Chase Benson, and nickelback Ty Okada – be at full strength, or close, for this Saturday’s Football Championship Subdivision title game? It’s a great question. MSU keeping it very tight lipped. If those three are 100% this game is close. Will be rooting for MSU...wish it wasn't 9am.
 
MSU can't get off the field defensively. Just gave up contain for a big play, missed a pass that should have been defended and ran some stupid DL stunt that gave the whole middle of the field to the running QB on another. I feel like I've seen all this before....

Mellott didn't re-enter the game. Rovig at QB. Infanse is playing. Missed FG.
 
well the IT factor touchdown tony out...bad mews. plus weird end to that drive for msu...should have gone for it or tried fg...bad decision.
 
Obzerver said:
well the IT factor touchdown tony out...bad mews. plus weird end to that drive for msu...should have gone for it or tried fg...bad decision.
Click to expand...

I liked the fake FG call with Mellott limping badly. It wasn't there so the kid punted. Not sure why the defense is looking so hapless.
 
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